DCC Jammu Rural intensifies protest against abolition of Toll Plaza, Smart meters

Demand release of all detained YRS members

JAMMU, August 25: The District Congress Committee (DCC) Jammu Rural today intensified its protest in support of abolishing the toll plaza, installation of smart meters, and the imposition of property tax that have been significantly hampering the daily lives of the people in Jammu and Kashmir.

The protest was organized under the leadership of Hari Singh Chib, President of DCC Jammu Rural, at Bantalab falling in the Jammu North Assembly segment. The protest garnered a strong turnout, with various prominent leaders and members of the community joining hands to voice their concerns over these pressing issues.

Prominent among those who joined the protest included Yogesh Sawhney, Former Minister and Incharge of District Urban Jammu; Manmohan Singh, General Secretary of PCC; Uttam Singh Chib,sh Rajinder Singh Jamwal  Corporator;Sh Rajinder Kumar Happy ,Block Presidents sh Somnath Sharma,  Parshotam Singh; Ajab Singh Mottan;rSunil Singh, Assembly President of Jammu North; Aju Rakhwal; Atul Manhas; Surinder Kumar; Madan Singh; Tarun Vaid; Varinder Mehta; Captain Khushi Ram; Pammi Manhas; Devraj; Jung Bahadur; Pritam Singh; Krishan Chand; Tarsem Singh; Kamal Singh; Rajinder Kumar Happy; Sunny Choudhary; Gulshan Kumar; Bittu Chib; and Parshotam Singh.sh Sunny choudhary

During his address, Yogesh Sawhney vehemently condemned the detention of leaders from Yuva Rajput Sabha, who were peacefully protesting against the illegal toll plaza at Sarore. He asserted that the Sarore toll plaza flagrantly violates distance norms and is causing significant distress to the local populace. He asked the Government to reconsider its decisions and prioritize the welfare of the J&K people.

Hari Singh Chib, in his address, directed strong criticism at the BJP Government for its anti-people policies. He highlighted that the demand for the abolition of the Sarore toll plaza had been raised by numerous organizations in the past, but the government remained obstinate in its stance.

Chib criticized the Modi-led Government for burdening the common man with heavy taxes of various kinds, which have taken a toll on their livelihoods. He outlined the imposition and escalation of multiple taxes in recent times, including Toll Tax, one-time Road Tax, escalated stamp duty rates, and a manifold increase in the Registration fee.

Chib also demanded the immediate release of detained members of Yuva Rajput Sabha.

Manmohan Singh anguished over the installation of smart meters, citing concerns about their ability to afford the increased tariffs based on smart meter readings. He pointed out the government has continuously implemented anti-people measures, as if seeking revenge from the people. “Instead of providing relief to the people, the government keeps imposing unjust measures one after another,” he lamented.

The protesting Congress leaders called upon the public to rally behind the Congress party, asserting that only Congress has the capability to fulfill the aspirations of the people and alleviate their grievances.

Meanwhile, a similar protest was also organized by Rajinder Singh Corporator Ward No 39 at Toph Sherkhania against Government for arresting leaders of Yuva Rajput Sabha for abolishing of Toll Plaza at Sarore.

Those who joined the protest include Mula Ram, Hari Singh Chib, Manmohan Singh, Uttam Singh Chib, Karan Bhagat, Block Presidents Rajash Sharma, Som Nath Sharma, Parshotam Singh, Raj Kumar Magotra, Raj Kumar, Chaman Lal, Ramash Sharma, Capt Khushi Ram, Parveen Akhtar, Mamta Gupta, Dev Raj, Tarun Vaid, Virender Mehta and Party activists. They appealed to the government to replace the newly installed prepaid smart meters with old digital meters.